What's all this about?
It's a Porsche 911, 991.2 era. It features GT3 underpinnings, with possibly GT3 RS power, and you'll notice it has no roof. In the process, it is reviving an age-old Porsche nameplate, which hasn't been seen since the 2010 997-generation of the 911. Yes, you're looking at the stunning 911 Speedster Concept.
I notice the use of the word 'Concept' with some dread...
Have faith. At the moment, this is nothing more than Porsche giving itself a 70th birthday present, announcing the Speedster Concept exactly seven decades to the day since the 1948 356 'No.1' Roadster received its operating licence. But it's not hard to imagine it gaining a green-light for production, with Porsche said to be mulling over a 'yes/no' decision in the coming months. If it sees sense, and goes with yes, the Speedster could hit showrooms in 2019, providing a fitting finale for the 991-generation of the 911.
So, can I have the salient details, please?
Sure. Porsche suggests, without explicitly saying it, that what we have here is the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six of the GT3, coupled to the 991.2's much-heralded return of the six-speed manual transmission. Power is said to be 'more than 500hp', which is why we suggest the Speedster might have the 520hp of the 991.2 GT3 RS, and on its narrower Carrera 4 bodywork, it wears much of detailing we've seen on Speedsters past.
Such as?
The double-bubble cover behind the passenger compartment, for example. No proper roof, only having a lightweight tonneau cover to keep the passenger compartment from getting wet if the car is parked. A more steeply raked windscreen and shorter side windows. And 'Speedster' lettering, rendered in gold, in strategic places. The wings, front bonnet and that twin-humped rollover cover are all made of carbon fibre, as are the bucket seats in an interior stripped of needless weight (like satnav, a radio and air conditioning) and trimmed in 'Cognac 356' light-brown Aniline leather. The clear wind deflector bears a '70 years of Porsche' logo, while the two-tone GT Silver and White paintjob is reminiscent of Porsche's first racing exploits. There's more on this score.
What do you mean?
Look carefully at the headlights and you'll see they feature a pattern that mimics the old motorsport practice of taping up lamps to prevent them shattering during competitive action. Furthermore, the fuel filler cap is centrally mounted in the front bonnet and the door mirrors are gorgeous little 'Talbot'-shaped items. Even the 21-inch Fuchs design alloys have centre locks, the first time any Porsche Fuchs wheels (of any size) have borne such a feature. And the GT development team, which is the genius behind the Speedster Concept, has also contributed a bespoke exhaust system with titanium tailpipes.
Do you think the 911 Speedster Concept will make showrooms?
We have little doubt that, like the GT3, GT3 RS and GT2 RS monsters that come from the same department, Porsche would have little trouble selling the Speedster to eager punters for huge cash prices. So we don't doubt we'll see the Speedster confirmed for a 2019 production run, no matter how limited. We really, REALLY hope we're not wrong on this, either...
Matt Robinson - 12 Jun 2018
